Villages flooded

Tura, Aug. 19: Incessant rain in the past three days has led to floods in two development blocks of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills.

Floods in Selsella and Tikrikilla development blocks affected at least 57 villages. Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers flow through the plain belts of Garo hills.

According to government reports, 1,580 households were affected, which include 1,160 houses completely damaged and 420 houses partially damaged. Altogether 1,550 hectares of land under sali paddy crop was destroyed. The agriculture department estimated the loss at Rs 917.6 lakh. Floods have affected the Majhipara-Solairtek embankment.

The district administration has undertaken relief measures by putting empty cement bags, filled with sand, at eroded locations.